Solar eclipse of October 12, 1977

A total solar eclipse occurred at the Moon's ascending node of orbit on Wednesday, October 12, 1977, with a magnitude of 1.0269. A solar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes between Earth and the Sun, thereby totally or partly obscuring the image of the Sun for a viewer on Earth. A total solar eclipse occurs when the Moon's apparent diameter is larger than the Sun's, blocking all direct sunlight, turning day into darkness. Totality occurs in a narrow path across Earth's surface, with the partial solar eclipse visible over a surrounding region thousands of kilometres wide. Totality was visible in the Pacific Ocean, Colombia and Venezuela.

Observations
The National Geographic Society funded an expedition by sea led by Jay Pasachoff from Williams College, Massachusetts to the northeast Pacific Ocean to observe the total eclipse. The team took images of the sky and corona during the totality phase as well as corona spectrum and infrared images.

Eclipses in 1977

 * A partial lunar eclipse on April 4, 1977.
 * An annular solar eclipse on April 18, 1977.
 * A penumbral lunar eclipse on September 27, 1977.
 * A total solar eclipse on October 12, 1977.

Metonic

 * Preceded by: Solar eclipse of December 24, 1973
 * Followed by: Solar eclipse of July 31, 1981

Tzolkinex

 * Preceded by: Solar eclipse of August 31, 1970
 * Followed by: Solar eclipse of November 22, 1984

Half-Saros

 * Preceded by: Lunar eclipse of October 6, 1968
 * Followed by: Lunar eclipse of October 17, 1986

Tritos

 * Preceded by: Solar eclipse of November 12, 1966
 * Followed by: Solar eclipse of September 11, 1988

Solar Saros 143

 * Preceded by: Solar eclipse of October 2, 1959
 * Followed by: Solar eclipse of October 24, 1995

Inex

 * Preceded by: Solar eclipse of November 1, 1948
 * Followed by: Solar eclipse of September 22, 2006

Triad

 * Preceded by: Solar eclipse of December 12, 1890
 * Followed by: Solar eclipse of August 12, 2064